Anomaly of Fate
Chapter 100: A Debt Repaid

Chapter 100: A Debt Repaid

The second... time?

Did she know about Sylmare Forest? Back when he was just a kid?

Velren’s confusion must have been plain on his face, because the queen chuckled softly, a sound both amused and nostalgic.

"You have no idea how long I’ve wanted to meet you."

Her gaze held something unreadable, something that sent a faint unease to Velren. Then, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, she asked:

"How are the two guardians doing?"

Velren stiffened slightly. Is she talking about Fenrir and Skoll?

"They’re... doing all right," he answered after a pause.

"That’s good to hear."

Silence. The soft clink of porcelain as she lifted her cup, taking another sip of tea. After a while, the queen set her teacup down with a delicate clink, her gaze drifting toward him with quiet amusement.

"Judging by my daughter’s reaction, I take it you haven’t told her yet."

Velren’s fingers twitched against his knee. He had expected this conversation to take an unexpected turn, but not this soon.

"...No, I haven’t."

The queen tilted her head slightly. "And you intend to keep it that way?"

"I’d prefer to."

A flicker of intrigue passed through her eyes. "May I ask why?"

Velren exhaled, glancing at the rippling surface of the tea in her cup, as if gathering his thoughts.

"Because it doesn’t matter," he said finally. "She doesn’t need to know. What happened back then—it was just something I did because I was there. That’s all."

He leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping idly against the wooden armrest of his chair.

"Besides... if she found out, she might start looking at me differently."

The queen studied him for a long moment, as if measuring the weight of his words. Then, slowly, she smiled, before asking another question:

"Then why did you agree to join her?"

Velren exhaled, his fingers stilling against the armrest. That was the question, wasn’t it? He could have walked away. He should have walked away. And yet, here he was. Maybe it was curiosity, or maybe it was just easier to move forward than to stand still.

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

"Your daughter was... very direct."

The queen’s smile deepened, though she said nothing.

Velren hesitated before speaking again, his voice quieter this time.

"I... might not know much about this whole summit thing," he admitted, "but given the timing of the recent incident... wouldn’t it be better if the princess sat this one out?"

The queen gently set her teacup down, Then, with a calm certainty, she answered.

"If it were a matter of safety alone, that would be the logical choice. But Solenne is not just a princess—she is a ruler in the making. And a ruler does not withdraw at the first sign of danger."

She folded her hands over her lap, her gaze steady.

"My daughter has spent years preparing for what lies ahead. She has studied diplomacy, governance, and the art of leadership—not because it was expected of her, but because she wished to carve her own path. If she avoids the summit now, she loses more than just an opportunity. She loses her credibility, her standing among those who watch her every move."

A brief pause, then a quiet sigh.

"More than that... she wishes to change things. And change does not happen from the shadows."

Velren absorbed her words, his fingers idly tapping against the wooden armrest. Purpose, huh? That was something he had never really thought about—at least, not for himself.

"...Then what about me?" he murmured, almost to himself. Then, louder, he asked:

"Do you think everyone is meant to have a purpose?"

The queen’s gaze drifted toward the garden, as if contemplating something distant, something beyond what mortal eyes could see. Then, she spoke.

"Fate is not a path laid out before us, but a current—some let it carry them aimlessly, while others fight against it, believing they can break free. But the ones who truly shape their own destiny... are those who learn how to swim."

"So... you’re saying I should just go with the flow?"

The queen chuckled softly, shaking her head.

"Not at all. I am saying that you must first understand the current before deciding where you wish to go. There is no shame in not having an answer yet."

Velren exhaled through his nose, his fingers resuming their idle tap against the wooden armrest.

"That sounds awfully convenient," he muttered. "Just another way of saying I should figure things out on my own."

The queen gave him a knowing look.

"Would you rather someone dictate your purpose for you?"

Velren didn’t answer immediately. He had spent so much time drifting, avoiding attachments, avoiding commitments—because deep down, maybe he feared that if he stopped and looked too closely, he’d realize there was nothing guiding him at all.

After a moment, he sighed and gave the queen a tired smile.

"You sound like my old man."

"Then he must be wise."

Velren scoffed lightly but said nothing.

The queen leaned forward slightly, her expression was soft but intent.

"You saved my daughter’s life twice now. And yet, you claim to have no purpose. Do you truly believe that?"

Velren hesitated. "I... honestly don’t know what I believe."

"Then perhaps," the queen said gently, "this is the perfect place to start."

Velren let out a slow breath, lowering his gaze to the tea set between them. The reflection in the porcelain was warped, unrecognizable.

"Starting, huh..." he muttered. As if it were that simple. As if deciding to walk a path was the same as knowing where it led.

The queen didn’t press him further. Instead, she regarded him with the same quiet patience, as if she had seen this uncertainty before, as if she understood.

After a while, she set her teacup down with a soft clink.

"For what it’s worth, I believe my daughter chose wisely."

Velren blinked, caught off guard by the sincerity in her voice.

He sighed, leaning back into his chair. "She really is stubborn..."

The queen smiled knowingly. "She is."

Velren exhaled through his nose, tilting his head back to stare at the darkening sky above.

Maybe... this wasn’t such a bad place to start after all.

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